When Kyle + Tara first met, Kyle was building custom homes in Topeka, KS and Tara was studying to become an event planner. With Kyle's influence and inspiration, Tara took her event planning skills to become an owner's rep for commercial construction while Kyle continued to build custom homes. After moving to Kansas City in 2015, they continued to work in the construction industry to learn about their new city and become acquainted with local subcontractors.
That same year, a rural grain bin cabin that Kyle designed and built was featured in a book titled "Cabin Porn". That feature led to a 14 episode TV show called "You Can't Turn That Into A House" where Kyle and two brothers designed and built small cabins throughout Texas, Missouri and Kansas. Once production wrapped, Kyle and Tara decided it was time to risk it all and start their own business.
While sipping cocktails on their patio and toying with different words and phrases for their new company name, the cicadas started singing and CICADA Co. was born. Not only do the sweet sound of cicadas remind Kyle + Tara of Kansas City, but it reminds them of home and that is exactly how they want your space to feel.
"The Sweet Sound of Cicadas remind us of home and that is exactly how we want your space to feel"
OUR TEAM
Tara Davis
CHIEF EXECUTIVE & CREATIVE OFFICER
Tara is Cicada’s visionary leader and creative strategist who blends business acumen with an instinct for design to inspire teams, shape meaningful spaces, and drive lasting growth. As Chief Executive & Creative Officer, she oversees both the strategic direction and the creative vision of the company, ensuring that every project aligns with the brand’s purpose and intention. With a professional foundation in commercial real estate development, hospitality management, and human ecology, Tara brings a multidimensional perspective to leadership. After years of hands-on creative direction, she now focuses on guiding the broader vision, leading brand evolution, championing experience-driven opportunities, and fostering innovation through calculated risk-taking.
Tara is Cicada’s visionary leader and creative strategist who blends business acumen with an instinct for design to inspire teams, shape meaningful spaces, and drive lasting growth. As Chief Executive & Creative Officer, she oversees both the strategic direction and the creative vision of the company, ensuring that every project aligns with the brand’s purpose and intention. With a professional foundation in commercial real estate development, hospitality management, and human ecology, Tara brings a multidimensional perspective to leadership. After years of hands-on creative direction, she now focuses on guiding the broader vision, leading brand evolution, championing experience-driven opportunities, and fostering innovation through calculated risk-taking.
Kyle Davis
COO & DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION
With a degree in architecture from the University of Kansas and more than 20 years of industry experience, Kyle is the driving force behind Cicada’s day-to-day operations. As Chief Operating Officer & Director of Construction, he oversees project logistics, guides the team on the ground, and keeps everything moving forward. Kyle’s journey from framing houses to designing and building custom homes has given him a unique ability to connect vision to execution, anticipating challenges and solving problems. As the forward-facing partner, he prioritizes clear communication and thoughtful planning, ensuring that every client feels supported, informed, and confident throughout the process. His steady leadership and hands-on experience make him a trusted advocate for both the Cicada team and the clients we serve.
With a degree in architecture from the University of Kansas and more than 20 years of industry experience, Kyle is the driving force behind Cicada’s day-to-day operations. As Chief Operating Officer & Director of Construction, he oversees project logistics, guides the team on the ground, and keeps everything moving forward. Kyle’s journey from framing houses to designing and building custom homes has given him a unique ability to connect vision to execution, anticipating challenges and solving problems. As the forward-facing partner, he prioritizes clear communication and thoughtful planning, ensuring that every client feels supported, informed, and confident throughout the process. His steady leadership and hands-on experience make him a trusted advocate for both the Cicada team and the clients we serve.
Erin Rainer
STUDIO OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
A Kansas City native with a background in fashion merchandising and business from the University of Missouri, Erin brings over 15 years of professional experience — including five years at Neiman Marcus’ corporate buying office in Dallas. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for luxury client service, she now leads studio operations and business development at Cicada Co. Erin plays a dynamic role behind the scenes, elevating the client experience, supporting brand growth, and keeping every project moving forward with precision.
A Kansas City native with a background in fashion merchandising and business from the University of Missouri, Erin brings over 15 years of professional experience — including five years at Neiman Marcus’ corporate buying office in Dallas. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for luxury client service, she now leads studio operations and business development at Cicada Co. Erin plays a dynamic role behind the scenes, elevating the client experience, supporting brand growth, and keeping every project moving forward with precision.
Elle Abernathy
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN I NCIDQ, LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE, IIDA
With a foundation in commercial interiors and a portfolio that spans residential and hospitality work, Elle leads Cicada’s design studio with intention and clarity. She’s a NCIDQ-certified, LEED-accredited designer with a BFA in Environmental Interior Design from the University of Kansas. Elle acts as the connective tissue between clients, construction, and the studio team—bringing vision to life through concept design, storytelling, and detail. Inspired by her travels across 20+ countries, Elle brings a grounded, global perspective to every space.
With a foundation in commercial interiors and a portfolio that spans residential and hospitality work, Elle leads Cicada’s design studio with intention and clarity. She’s a NCIDQ-certified, LEED-accredited designer with a BFA in Environmental Interior Design from the University of Kansas. Elle acts as the connective tissue between clients, construction, and the studio team—bringing vision to life through concept design, storytelling, and detail. Inspired by her travels across 20+ countries, Elle brings a grounded, global perspective to every space.
Marcie Short
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
With more than 16 years of experience, Marcie’s approach to architectural design is both strategic and deeply creative. She holds a degree in Interior Design and Architectural Drafting from the University of Central Missouri and plays a key role in shaping Cicada’s designs from early planning through to build-ready drawings — helping clients visualize every detail along the way.
With more than 16 years of experience, Marcie’s approach to architectural design is both strategic and deeply creative. She holds a degree in Interior Design and Architectural Drafting from the University of Central Missouri and plays a key role in shaping Cicada’s designs from early planning through to build-ready drawings — helping clients visualize every detail along the way.
Leslie Marshall
CONSTRUCTION COORDINATOR
Leslie brings precision and clarity to every project she touches. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State and a background in MEP design, cost estimating, and commercial construction management, she bridges the gap between design and execution — keeping timelines, budgets, and material coordination on track.
Leslie brings precision and clarity to every project she touches. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State and a background in MEP design, cost estimating, and commercial construction management, she bridges the gap between design and execution — keeping timelines, budgets, and material coordination on track.
Brennen Hall
SUPERINTENDENT
With a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Kansas, Brennen brings a design-minded perspective to the field, ensuring each project moves smoothly from start to finish. He’s especially drawn to the framing phase, where plans become tangible and thoughtful design begins to reveal itself in full scale. As a superintendent, he synthesizes his architectural training with real-time decision-making on site, helping each detail come together with precision. Inspired by everything from fashion and raw denim to the work of Judd, Kahn, and Pawson, Brennen approaches every build with a creative eye and a deep appreciation for form, function, and craft.
With a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Kansas, Brennen brings a design-minded perspective to the field, ensuring each project moves smoothly from start to finish. He’s especially drawn to the framing phase, where plans become tangible and thoughtful design begins to reveal itself in full scale. As a superintendent, he synthesizes his architectural training with real-time decision-making on site, helping each detail come together with precision. Inspired by everything from fashion and raw denim to the work of Judd, Kahn, and Pawson, Brennen approaches every build with a creative eye and a deep appreciation for form, function, and craft.
Samuel Olson
CONTENT CREATOR
With a background in photography from a trade school in Ålesund, Norway, Sam brings an artful eye and storytelling sensibility to Cicada’s creative team. As Content Creator, he captures the heartbeat of each project—from concept to completion—translating architectural detail and craftsmanship into compelling visual narratives. Inspired by people and the often-overlooked beauty in small moments, Sam approaches every shoot as an opportunity to reveal both the artistry and the humanity within design. His work helps bridge the gap between construction and storytelling, giving shape to the emotion, texture, and intention behind every space Cicada brings to life.
With a background in photography from a trade school in Ålesund, Norway, Sam brings an artful eye and storytelling sensibility to Cicada’s creative team. As Content Creator, he captures the heartbeat of each project—from concept to completion—translating architectural detail and craftsmanship into compelling visual narratives. Inspired by people and the often-overlooked beauty in small moments, Sam approaches every shoot as an opportunity to reveal both the artistry and the humanity within design. His work helps bridge the gap between construction and storytelling, giving shape to the emotion, texture, and intention behind every space Cicada brings to life.
Abby Brown
JUNIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER
Abby earned her BFA in Interior Architecture from the University of Kansas, where she developed a love for furniture and lighting design. A formative internship in Barcelona deepened her appreciation for how intentional design can transform a space. At Cicada, she supports both the architecture and interiors teams, contributing to FF&E selections, space planning, and custom furniture and lighting collaborations. Abby draws inspiration from designers and artists who celebrate craftsmanship and individuality, always seeking ideas that blend beauty and purpose.
Abby earned her BFA in Interior Architecture from the University of Kansas, where she developed a love for furniture and lighting design. A formative internship in Barcelona deepened her appreciation for how intentional design can transform a space. At Cicada, she supports both the architecture and interiors teams, contributing to FF&E selections, space planning, and custom furniture and lighting collaborations. Abby draws inspiration from designers and artists who celebrate craftsmanship and individuality, always seeking ideas that blend beauty and purpose.
